Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Rotherham-based Crosby Kitchens, a major UK kitchen designer and supplier, has confirmed that it is has gone into liquidation, whilst its sister company, Aberdeen-based NTP Kitchens, has has been placed into receivership.

Part of Aberdeen-based CHAP Holdings, Crosby Kitchens only recently signed a lease on new premises at Houndhill Park, Manvers, having previously operated out of The Wesley Centre in Maltby and housing its stock in Edinburgh.

Johnston Carmichael's Gordon MacLure and Ewen Alexander have been appointed receivers and have already commenced talks with staff, key suppliers and customers.

Three of Crosby Kitchens's six staff members have been made redundant with immediate effect, whilst the remaining employees have been retained to assist with a closing down sale and other administrative matters.

A spokesperson for Crosby Kitchens and NTP Kitchens said: "It is with deep regret that we confirm today that NTP Kitchens has been placed into receivership, whilst Crosby Kitchens has entered liquidation.

"These developments stem from the recent recession, which had a hugely negative impact on retail sales, with customers proving to be extremely cautious when it came to discretionary purchases such as kitchens.

"It was hoped that the market would have picked up significantly by this point - and demand for kitchens would have returned to pre-credit crunch levels - but unfortunately this has not materialised, leading us to today's decisions."

Crosby Kitchens began as K Brody Ltd in 1936, a small company specialising in the manufacture of bedroom and dining furniture for supply to local builders. It moved into manufacturing kitchen units and, despite the parent company going into receivership in the early 1970's, the profitable business joined the The Crosby Group where the development of the flatpack concept meant that the arm quickly became accountable for 50% of the turnover for Crosby's Consumer Products division.

CHAP (Holdings) Ltd, one of Scotland's leading privately owned construction groups, acquired a 60% stake in the firm in 2000 and are now sole owners.